Easy Baked Ziti with Ricotta (Vegetarian)
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If you want a baked ziti that’s easy and reliably good, this is it. A quick 15-minute homemade sauce keeps it rich and saucy, and everything gets mixed together (no layering) before baking into a pan of tender pasta with pockets of creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella.
This version is vegetarian, but feel free to serve some Italian meatballs on the side!
Why This Recipe?
Ease of Preparation: This Baked Ziti recipe is simple and user-friendly, perfect for beginners or those seeking a no-fuss cooking experience.
No Layering Required: Everything gets mixed right in the same pot altogether, easy!
Comfort Food Classic: With its warm, cheesy goodness, Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for cozy nights or family meals.
Amazing Leftovers: The leftovers taste even better, offering flavorful, easy-to-reheat meals for days.
Ingredients
This is a saucy baked ziti made with a quick homemade tomato sauce that balances the cheese and keeps everything light but satisfying.
Pasta Choice: Ziti or penne are the traditional choices for this dish. They have hollow centers and ridges, ideal for holding onto the sauce and cheese.
Cheese Varieties: A blend of cheeses is typically used. Mozzarella brings gooeyness, while ricotta adds creaminess. Parmesan or Pecorino Romano can be included for a sharper flavor.
Sauce: The sauce is a critical component. Some variations may include meat, like ground beef or Italian sausage, for added richness and flavor.
Seasonings and Herbs: Garlic, onions, and Italian herbs like basil often season the sauce, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
How To (Step by Step)
Start by cooking the pasta in well-salted water until it’s about 2–3 minutes shy of al dente. It should still have a slight bite, since it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, make a quick tomato sauce by sautéing onion in olive oil until soft, then adding crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Let the sauce simmer briefly to bring everything together.
In a small bowl, stir together the ricotta and egg. Add the cooked pasta directly to the pot with the sauce, then mix in the ricotta mixture, most of the mozzarella (reserve some for the top), along with the parmesan. Stir until everything is evenly coated and combined.
Transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13 baking dish, top with a little extra mozzarella, and bake until hot, bubbly, and lightly golden on top. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving so it sets up nicely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, while ziti is traditional, similar tubular pasta like penne or rigatoni can work well too.
Absolutely. You can assemble it ahead and refrigerate. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s going straight from fridge to oven.
Yes! Ground beef, sausage, or vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers can be great additions.
More Pasta and Sauces
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📖 Recipe
Baked Ziti with Ricotta (Vegetarian)
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Equipment
- casserole dish
Ingredients
To Make the Sauce
- 1 small Onion roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- Red pepper flake optional
- 1 handful Fresh basil
- 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
To Assemble the Pasta
- 1 pound Ziti Pasta or penne if you can’t find ziti
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
- 1 large Egg beaten
- 1 pound Mozzarella Cheese shredded (reserve some for topping or add more if you have it)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
For Topping the Pasta
- Fresh Basil chopped optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and set a rack in the bottom third of the oven.
To Make the Sauce
- In a large pot, add the olive oil and the onion. Sprinkle some of the salt and pepper on top and cook over medium high heat until the onion is translucent. Add the red pepper flake if using.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, stir, cover, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and cook for about 15 minutes.
Cook the Pasta:
- In the meantime, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the ziti pasta and cook until just before al dente (usually 2 to 3 minutes less than the package instructions). The pasta should be cooked about 80 percent, and will continue cooking in the oven.
- Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
Prepare Cheese Mixture and Combine with Pasta:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and the egg – set aside.
- Add the pasta to the pot with the sauce, then add the mozzarella cheese (reserve a handful for the topping or add more), the ricotta cheese mixture, and the parmesan cheese. Stir until the pasta is well-coated.
- Pour the mixture into a 9 x 13 baking dish.
- Add the reserved/additional mozzarella over the top of the pasta.
Bake and Serve:
- Bake uncovered for about 35–45 minutes, or until hot and bubbly with lightly golden edges.
- Remove from oven and garnish with basil chiffonade if desired.
- Let the baked ziti stand for a few minutes after removing it from the oven.
Notes
Nutrition
Updated April 22, 2026, to make it saucier with less ricotta.